It marked the second straight game the Blue Demons shot 60 percent and scored more than 80 points. DePaul's shooting percentage was the best against the Irish this season, bettering the 46 percent that Harvard shot.

The 84 points were also the most points the Irish have given up.

Thomas scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half for the Irish, and Colin Falls had a career-high 20 points, eight more than the 12 he scored against DePaul last season. Falls sat out the last 10 minutes after injuring his ankle.

DePaul scored the game's first six points and never trailed, leading 39-35 at halftime.

The Blue Demons had an answer every Notre Dame run, including one that cut DePaul's lead to 49-48. But Diener hit a 3-pointer to end the 7-0 scoring drought.

"Our big guys were out of rhythm a bit, I think, and that hurt a bit," Brey said. "We had trouble getting the ball inside, but they did not, they got through our zone."

That surprised Diener.

"I wasn't expecting us to win going away like that," he said. "I was expecting a dog fight."